Epilogue
Vivian
“I’m getting married, Mom.” I smiled into the full-length mirror and blinked back tears. “You led me to the most perfect man.” I brushed a tear from my cheek as my heart swelled. “We picked today so you’d know just how much you mean to me, too.”
Today was September first, the one-year anniversary of my first date with Lennon and of the day I’d finished spreading my mother’s ashes. I loved how we’d come full circle, both of us having realized how special the other person was from that first moment.
“Thank you, Mom, for being my mother. Thank you for helping me find Lennon.”
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed the front of my gown. I’d found it on my very first shopping excursion with Lola, Nina, Mia, and Hana. As soon as I’d slipped into the silk halter top, with its open back and thick satin waistband, I’d known. The floor-length skirt skimmed my legs with plenty of movement but felt elegant—like fifties Hollywood glamour. There were no adornments to take away from the chic design, and I felt beautiful in the dress. My veil was a soft gauze with tiny seed pearls rimming the hem.
I’d been hesitant to bring it home, but Lennon had promised he wouldn’t peek, so I’d hung it in the guest room closet. He’d kept that promise, just as he’d kept all the others he made me. That realization always warmed me. Lennon Cruz was steady, consistent, and true. I’d needed him in my life and was so thankful he was here.
Lennon’s mother, Lola, and the CATS had gifted me buttery-soft white leather cowboy boots embroidered with dogs and Calla lilies. Somehow, the pattern worked together, and I was utterly besotted with them. They were about to become my favorite footwear.
“Aren’t you a picture,” Lola said, smiling with soft maternal pride. She looked beautiful and healthy in her silvery teal gown we’d chosen that same day. She’d grown her hair back out in an adorable pixie cut. She placed her hands on my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “You ready?”
“Oh, yes. I am so ready to marry Lennon.” I collected my bouquet. We were having a small ceremony of just family and Cruz’s teammates, who really could have been called family as well. They guys were even closer now that they’d won the Stanley Cup again, and they were so supportive of Lennon, who had needed more than eight weeks to fully heal from his punctured lung.
He’d be able to suit up and practice as needed for next season, but Coach Whittaker and Lennon both understood that his role with the team had shifted. He was now the veteran who imparted knowledge and serenity, not the young go-getter the team would need moving forward into its next era.
I was so glad I’d met Lennon in time to see him play at the pinnacle of his career. But I was really excited about the work we were starting with the foundation. Camden Grace had footed all the startup costs and most of the salaried positions, meaning Lennon was able to focus on what he did best—reconnecting dogs to their handlers.
I’d enjoyed meeting Camden and was thrilled that he and his wife, Jenna, were here today to celebrate with us. Already I could tell we would likely become quite close—not just because of the work we did but because Jenna cracked me up. She had the craziest sayings that somehow really clarified a situation.
Now that Lola was healthy again, I’d started taking on some tasks for the foundation, working with the veterans who needed extra care. The work was deeply fulfilling, and I rose each morning with a determination to make those courageous men’s and women’s lives better.
So far, I thought we were succeeding.
Lola cupped my shoulders. “You are just what he needs, querida. Thank you for taking my call.”
My smile widened. “That was the best snap decision I’ve ever made.”
Lola chuckled. “No, I think it was the second best. Your best one was falling for Lennon.” She winked, then offered me her arm. “Let’s get you married, shall we?”
My skirts and petticoat swished as Lola and I walked arm-in-arm out of the house and into the backyard. The big live oaks offered a lovely shade against the heat of the September evening. Dusk was settling into the sky, and pink clouds blossomed. Tiki torches lined the perimeter of the seating area to keep mosquitoes and other flying pests away. I shuddered, remembering the palmetto bug.
“What’s that for?” Lola asked as we waited for the music to change—our cue to walk down the aisle. I’d eschewed attendants because I’d wanted this wedding to be about Lennon and me.
I told Lola the story of my first night in Houston, and she laughed so hard we missed our cue. The cellist came over and told us we needed to walk, but Lola was still guffawing as she led me down the aisle. I knew those photos of her, face alight with joy, were going to be some of my favorites of the day.
They were.
But none was as special as the mental photo I took of Lennon in his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt as he looked at me that first second we rounded the corner and began walking down the linen cloth we’d set up as an aisle. The sheer wonder on his face made every moment of our months apart worthwhile.
His eyes were so filled with love and joy that I felt mine filling with tears. When Lola and I reached Lennon, he bent down and kissed her cheek, whispering something in her ear. Then he met my gaze as he took my hands. “I’m beyond ready for forever with you, Vivian Lee Cruz.”
“I’ve known since you picked up my hat,” I replied.
“I’ll be here for you until my last breath,” he said.
And those were the vows I’d remember until mine.
Camden Grace crooned into the microphone, his eyes on his pretty blond wife, Jenna, the whole time he sang about enduring love. She patted her baby bump, shyly having admitted she was having a second boy a little earlier.
“I told Cam we’re not calling him Waylon, no matter how many beautiful songs he writes me. Now he’s made it a thing.” Jenna sighed, but her eyes flashed with delight. “He even sang me a song about how cute I looked when I woke up, which was the biggest, fattest lie ever since I was greener than the grass and nearly upchucked on his chest.”
I giggled as I sipped my champagne. Lennon had asked to choose the menu and caterer, and I’d happily handed over the tasks to him. The sit-down meal had been delicious—and healthy enough for the players heading back into another season. Unlike my darling husband, I didn’t have practice starting next week, so I could imbibe a couple of glasses of the expensive champagne he’d splurged on—and I intended to do so. I also planned to eat a huge piece of cake. I wanted to live up this moment because I was so happy.
“Are you going to give in?” I asked Jenna.
I noted all the CATS had moved closer to the stage. A little celeb crush on Cameron Grace was to be expected—the man was potent. But my gaze drifted to my sexy man. I was utterly delighted to have married Lennon.
“Now, we got one more surprise for the bride before we cut the cake and kick off this party,” Cam said. “And I just wanted to tell y’all that those donations for the K-Nine rescue program are going to great use. We got us four more matches this week.”
There were whoops and hollers as Cam stepped back.
“Pfft, no,” Jenna said, answering my question. “But I’ll give in on William or Nelson, so Cam’ll be happy.” She shot me a sly look. “He’s been practicing.”
I frowned, not understanding Jenna’s comment until I heard Lennon begin to sing. I gasped, my fingers coming to my lips as tears sprang to my eyes.
Jenna bumped my hip before wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “He’s got a fantastic voice. Like a huge, broody angel.”
I laughed as I cried, my gaze fixed on Lennon as he sang a beautiful love song.
Naomi and the other CATS surrounded me as Lennon sang, and they wolf-whistled and screamed when he finished.
Jenna grinned. “This is my kind of crowd.”
“We’re a loud but loving bunch,” I told her.
“Just as it should be.”
“Let’s dance,” Naomi hollered. “Adam, I need those delicious hips of yours pressed against mine.”
Adam grinned as he handed Stol his beer. “Whatever my beautiful bride wants.”
The deejay picked an upbeat, fun song, and soon everyone was breathless and a little damp from exertion.
“Having fun?” Lennon asked.
I nodded as I rested my head against his pec. He’d shed his tuxedo jacket before the first dance. No, our wedding hadn’t been completely traditional, but it was raucous and fun, and I loved everything about it.
“I could use some water,” I said. “And maybe some more cake.”
Lennon chuckled. “Let’s get you set up.”
I had just offered Lennon a bite of cake when Zaila, a young intern who’d started with the Wildcatters organization last June, came up to us. She smiled brightly, but I thought her eyes were too shadowed for her to be truly happy.
“I wanted to wish you two all the best,” Zaila said. “And to thank you for the invitation.” She clasped my hand in both of hers. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you all.”
That sounded like a formal goodbye, not just an exit from the wedding, which didn’t make sense to me. Her internship was supposed to be a full year.
From what Lennon had said, Zaila was whip smart. She tended to be quiet, observing the goings-on before stepping forward with suggestions. But what she did suggest had been implemented with great success on the social media channels.
“Thank you,” I said. “We hope you had fun.”
“Oh, I did. It’s so nice to see a couple in love, so willing to broadcast it to the world.”
Gunnar, who had sat next to Lennon with his own piece of cake, stiffened, his intense gaze lingering on the young woman’s face.
Oh . He liked her. I tried to remember how old he was—mid-forties, maybe? I wasn’t sure. At least twenty years older than Zaila.
The look of longing in his eyes that shuttered with the next blink told me he knew the age gap was too large. Pity. From what Lennon said, Gunnar hadn’t been linked with anyone romantically since he’d created the franchise.
I smiled at Zaila. “Lennon’s my person.”
Zaila laughed. “Nice callback to Grey’s Anatomy . I watched all the seasons during the pandemic.” She leaned in closer, her brown eyes sparkling. “McDreamy filled my dreams.” She cast a sly glance toward Gunnar. “But then, I have a thing for an older man. He’s mature. Knows what he wants.”
Oooh . This was getting interesting. Clearly Zaila was attracted to Gunnar. Would they act on it?
Naomi and Adam joined us, as did Maxim and Ida Jane. I loved all of them, but I was a bit disappointed as I watched Gunnar’s expression tighten and a mask fall into place.
I nibbled my cheek. Did I dare poke the bear? Something devilish tickled me—probably that second glass of champagne. I leaned closer to Zaila, which caused Naomi and Ida Jane to sidle forward. Human nature at work—no one wanted to miss a secret.
“You mean as opposed to the college students your age?” I asked, blinking innocently.
Zaila nodded.
“So those young men don’t do it for you?” Ida Jane asked. Her gaze slipped to Gunnar, and I saw the calculation in her eyes. She’d figured out there was something between them, too.
Oh, we’re on to you, Gunnar.
“Hmm… No. I like a man ,” Zaila said. “One who’s confident in himself and knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, Gunnar stood and stepped forward. He scowled down at Zaila, who stared back boldly. “This is neither the time nor the place, Zaila,” he said, his icy blue eyes narrowed to slits.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said, looking away. “What do I know about relationships, anyway?”
I shared a glance with Ida Jane. We both bit back grins. Zaila was pushing Gunnar. To…what? Admit there was something between them?
“What. The. Fuck?” Naomi murmured.
Clearly she’d missed the sexual tension between Gunnar and Zaila, and she was worried about her—no doubt hearing the words of her abusive ex-boyfriend. She’d told me he tried to control her emotionally, and when that didn’t work, he resorted to violence.
I glanced at Ida Jane, who gave a slight shake of her head. Let it play out.
I shrugged. I took a sip of my third glass of champagne, enjoying this unexpected show.
Naomi shoved her glass at Adam and went to the young woman, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. She clasped her other hand around Zaila’s and tugged her away from Gunnar.
“She doesn’t need to talk to you,” Gunnar said. Concern flashed in those icy eyes.
Adam stepped forward, likely reacting to his wife’s growing anxiety. “Zaila gets to decide that.”
I nodded, because she did. Zaila also nodded. This young woman was no wallflower. She appeared to be feisty as well as smart. Possibly just what Gunnar needed in his life.
Gunnar’s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. “You think I’d hurt her?”
“You just did,” Lennon said, his hands fisting. “By telling her what to think or do.”
I shot Ida Jane a panicked glance. This was our wedding, and Lennon thought his boss had just made the entire situation awkward at best, concerning at worst.
But Ida Jane was fully engrossed in the play-by-play. Great, she isn’t going to be any help .
“Oh, he won’t hurt me,” Zaila said with breezy confidence before I could come up with a response to break the tension.
“For fuck’s sake, I’d never hurt her,” Gunnar said. He was somewhere between flabbergasted and offended.
“It’s true,” Zaila said. “He won’t hurt me. At least not physically.”
That had Adam, Maxim, and Cormac growling with adorable fierceness. They’d protect this woman they barely knew against a man who could disrupt their lives. I felt even more in love with Lennon in that moment, something I would never have believed possible.
Zaila looked at the guys, eyes wide. She offered them an impish smile and a faint shake of her head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant he has broken my heart because he doesn’t want you to know we’ve secretly been dating and sleeping together for the past six weeks.” With that, Zaila turned back to Gunnar, who looked both shocked and annoyed.
Ida Jane and I shared a smile.
Bingo .
We stepped toward her, offering her our silent support. “So, now that I’ve spilled the tea and am no longer Gunnar’s dirty little secret, I’m going to go—before I totally ruin the vibe.” She met Gunnar’s gaze and offered him a sad smile. “Goodbye.”
She turned to me and squeezed my fingers. “Sorry, but not that sorry.” With a last smile at Naomi and Ida Jane, Zaila hurried off.
Gunnar seemed rooted to his spot, staring after her. When Lennon stepped forward, Gunnar held up a hand. “It’s none of your fucking business.”
Well . Naomi, Ida Jane, and I looked at each other with wide eyes.
The guys might have helped Lennon and me find our happy ever after, but the women now had our next matchmaking project. And it was already in full swing.
Yes!!! I’m writing a book 7 that gives you all the steamy details of Gunnar and Zaila’s romance.